As attendees were aware, there were some logistical glitches this year, not the least of which has been the failure of the Carpet Python book to arrive in time for the dinner launch. I understand they are here now, but held up at DHL for clearance today. It was decided at the 11th hour to cancel the launch/dinner for Saturday because of this.
The flow of info to those wanting to attend was not good, but it should be acknowledged that the 2011 Symposium was subjected to a significant amount of 'information sabotage' in the past 3-4 months, and this had the effect of disrupting the distribution of information because of the amount of time needed to correct the misinformation being spread. This was happening right up to the last minute.
The speakers, like last year, were amazing. They are all highly approachable, wonderful and interesting people, doing the most amazing things in their lives.For me it was great to catch up with Rico Walder, Justin Julander and Emmanuel Van Heygen again. I hardly know them, but they seem like old friends already! I thought Mark Spataro's Boelen's Python presentation was outstanding - a beautifully illustrated talk on this mysterious and unusual python which lives in perhaps the most inaccessible habitat of any species on earth.
It is somewhat unfair to single out Mark Spataro, because ALL presenters were absolutely top class. I left home north of Port Macquarie on my bike at a cold 4.30am Saturday and was at the uni by 8.45, and came home 400km through the rain on Sunday night, but the rewards offered by attending the Symposium far outweigh any discomfort and inconvenience in getting to and from the venue.
Congratulations to Neil once again for his entrepreneurial efforts in promoting herpetology as a multifaceted discipline, and brickbats to those who tried so hard to disrupt the planning of the event.
Jamie